Elderly British couple faces dire conditions in Taliban prison

In February 2025, the British couple, Peter Reynolds, aged 79, and his wife Barbie Reynolds, 75, were arrested in Afghanistan while attempting to reach their residence in Bamyan province. Alongside them during their travels was their American friend, Faye Hall, who had organized the flight, and an Afghan translator. The couple has reportedly faced a harrowing series of 29 interrogations and has experienced repeated court appearances with no formal charges brought against them. The conditions of their imprisonment are alarming, characterized by a lack of adequate food and a presence of unsanitary pests, which has raised significant concern among their family members. Their daughter, Susie Romer, has publicly urged the UK government to take immediate action to secure their release, expressing fears for their safety as they have been incarcerated for over ten weeks. The case further complicates as Taliban officials have indicated that several non-Islamic books found in their home are under scrutiny in the ongoing legal proceedings against them. The Taliban's interior ministry spokesperson has defended the treatment of the couple, labeling the situation as not serious and expressing hope for a speedy resolution. Still, the Reynolds family continues to fight for diplomatic channels to communicate the urgency and seriousness of the couple's situation. Amidst this turmoil, Faye Hall was recently released after US officials took interest in the matter following their visit to Kabul, marking a shift in diplomatic engagement that the Reynolds family hopes will extend to them as well.